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Giants in no hurry to play Posey more at first

4/1/13: Carl Crawford tries to steal his first base with the Dodgers, but is thrown out on a perfect toss from Buster Posey in the first

By Willie Bans
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Special to MLB.com |

SAN FRANCISCO -- With a new nine-year contract, Buster Posey is with the Giants to stay. And with MVP credentials and a demanding position at the backstop, one wonders how the team will try to keep him fresh. He is a catcher, strongly prefers it, but also plays first base.

In 2012, Posey started 111 games behind the plate and 29 at first base. Manager Bruce Bochy was asked Saturday what the approach is in 2013, seeing as Posey's contract goes until 2021 and it would be nice to keep Posey as healthy as could be.

Bochy only went as far as saying "maybe" Posey would appear at first base a few more games this year. Five games into this season, Posey has started one at first, necessitated when regular first baseman Brandon Belt was ill.

"But if it's not broken," Bochy said, "don't fix it."

Willie Bans is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.